Masindi to Adopt Cocoa as Cash Crop

Cocoa growing is to become one of the cash crops in Masindi district. A team of district councilors and the technical staff from Masindi district was in Bundibugyo on Thursday on a study tour on Cocoa growing and came back convinced that the crop can do well in Masindi.
The team was led by the Masindi district production office,r Blasto Byabakama.
Allan Mayanja, the branch manager ESCO Uganda limited, the company buying cocoa in Bundibugyo district told a delegation from Masindi that cocoa is the best plant which grows well in Masindi because of its good soils.
He however explained that cocoa can do well in forests because trees give it protection from direct sun shine.
Mayanja also said that cocoa does not require much lobour compared to coffee.
Cocoa also has high value compared to other cash crops. A kilogram goes for between shs9,000 and shs10,000 shillings.
The crop can be harvested throughout the year once it matures.